Stairlifts in Massachusetts: the elevator law's home exception

Massachusetts families often hear that anything that lifts a person needs state elevator approval. For a stairlift in a house, the state's own statute says otherwise: Chapter 143 of the General Laws leaves "stair lifts located and installed in residential homes" out of its definition of an elevator. The same sentence keeps wheelchair lifts in, and that difference is the most useful thing to know before you choose equipment.

Here is the exact wording, what it means for a stair that turns or a lift that rises straight up, and how a New England winter changes the choice for outside steps.

Chapter 143 and the residential stair lift exception

The state elevator program begins in G.L. c. 143, § 62, which directs the commissioner to maintain "a system of elevator inspection" and to supervise "the installation, alteration, maintenance, inspection and approval of all elevators." It also sets the order of work: "No elevator shall be installed or altered until a copy of the plans and specifications of such elevator or of the proposed alterations shall have been filed," and "a certificate of approval or a specification of requirements shall have been issued by the commissioner."

The definition at the end of that section is where homes come in: "The word ''elevator'' shall include moving stairways, dumbwaiters, moving walks, material lifts and dumbwaiters with automatic transfer devices, wheelchair lifts, automatic people movers and other associated devices, except stair lifts located and installed in residential homes, that are commonly included within the elevator industry."

Section 71E repeats the idea for sections 62 to 71F, listing wheelchair lifts, limited use elevators and more, "except inclined stair lifts located and installed in residential homes."

Read together, those sections draw a line:

• A chair that rides a rail up the stairs inside a residential home falls within the stated exception.
• A wheelchair lift, including a vertical platform lift at a porch or between floors, is named inside the definition, and the text does not limit that to commercial buildings. Under § 62, plans are filed and a certificate of approval or specification of requirements is issued before it is installed.
• A stair lift in a building that is not a residential home, such as a church or a shop, is outside the exception's words.

The exception removes a home stairlift from the elevator definition; it does not speak to building permits. Under c. 143, § 3, each city or town designates "an inspector of buildings or building commissioner" who is "responsible for administering and enforcing the state building code." Ask that office whether your stairlift job needs a building or electrical permit.

Cold winters, snow and stairs outdoors

NOAA's Massachusetts climate summary describes "cold, snowy winters and warm summers," with January average temperatures "ranging from the low 20s (°F) in the west to around 30°F near the coast." It recalls the winter of 2014-15, when Boston set records "including 110 inches for seasonal snowfall," and says "The state's coastline is highly vulnerable to damage from powerful nor'easters and tropical storms and hurricanes."

That matters for anyone thinking about a lift on a back porch or the steps down to a driveway. Pick a lift its maker rates for outdoor use; Harmar, for example, says plainly that its SL600HD is not for outdoor use, while Bruno builds separate outdoor Elite models. Plan, too, for who will clear snow from the steps and the rail's path after a storm, because a lift is only as usable as the stair it rides on.

Lifts suited to Massachusetts homes

If your stairway is steep, narrow or turns partway up, the measurements of a lift matter as much as its capacity.

• Harmar Pinnacle SL300: folded, it sits 11 in from the wall, and the rail mounts 1 in from the wall. It handles inclines from 27° to 52° and carries 300 lb; Harmar notes inclines above 45° may need local approval.
• Harmar Helix: custom-made for one staircase on a True-Curve rail, rated for 350 lb on inclines up to 58°, and it folds to 16 in from the wall.
• Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD: a heavy-duty straight model that lifts up to 600 lb with an extra wide chair; it is not for outdoor use.
• Bruno Elite Curve Outdoor CRE-2110E: for outside steps that turn, the rail is handcrafted to the staircase, and Bruno designed it for 0°F to 125°F with marine-grade components.

Help from MassAbility's assistive technology services

Massachusetts' assistive technology program is run through MassAbility. Its Assistive Technology Services page says "Device Loan programs allow individuals to borrow assistive technology equipment on a short and long-term basis," invites people to visit "one of MassAbility's Demo and Pickup Centers," and describes the REquipment program for donated devices. The AT3 Center directory also lists a financial loan program for the state.

Ordering and delivery to Massachusetts

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. Faith Mobility ships to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Our Massachusetts shipping page has more, and the stairlift fit check starts with the shape of your stairs.

Questions about stairlifts in Massachusetts

Does a home stairlift need state elevator approval in Massachusetts?

The statute's definition of elevator excludes "stair lifts located and installed in residential homes" (G.L. c. 143, § 62), and § 71E excludes "inclined stair lifts located and installed in residential homes." A stair lift in a home therefore falls outside that definition. Your city or town building office still decides whether a local permit is needed.

Is a wheelchair platform lift treated differently from a stairlift?

Yes. Section 62 lists "wheelchair lifts" inside the definition of elevator, and its home exception covers only stair lifts. Under § 62, no elevator may be installed until plans are filed and the commissioner issues a certificate of approval or a specification of requirements. Allow time for that if you need a vertical lift.

Who enforces building rules for a stairlift job in my town?

G.L. c. 143, § 3 requires each city or town to designate an inspector of buildings or building commissioner, who is responsible for administering and enforcing the state building code. That local office is the place to ask about building or electrical permits for your stairlift.

Can a stairlift work on outdoor steps in a Massachusetts winter?

An outdoor model can. NOAA describes cold, snowy winters in Massachusetts, with January averages from the low 20s in the west to about 30°F on the coast. Bruno's outdoor Elite lifts are designed for 0°F to 125°F with marine-grade components; indoor models such as the SL600HD are not for outdoor use.

Compare lifts in the stairlift collection, begin the stairlift fit check, or use the full assessment for the rest of the house. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Massachusetts General Laws c. 143, § 62 (elevator inspection; definition of elevator)
• Massachusetts General Laws c. 143, § 71E (definitions)
• Massachusetts General Laws c. 143, § 3 (local building inspectors)
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Massachusetts (2022)
• MassAbility: Assistive Technology Services
• AT3 Center: state assistive technology programs
• Product specifications: Faith Mobility product pages for the Harmar SL300, Harmar Helix, Harmar SL600HD and Bruno CRE-2110E